Genetic explanation to OCD

Question 1

What does the genetic explanation say the cause of OCD is?

Answer 1

Specific inherited genes

Question 2

Which two genes are said to have implicated on OCD?

Answer 2

COMT gene

SERT gene

Question 3

Why is COMT gene associated with OCD?

Answer 3

It is found that one variation of the COMT gene, which regulates neurotransmitter dopamine, that produces more dopamine is found in OCD sufferers
Dopamine releases adrenaline so the individual would have more adrenaline
associated with compulsions

Question 4

How is the SERT gene implicated in OCD?

Answer 4

SERT is linked to serotonin and affects the transport of serotonin, causing lower levels of serotonin

Question 5

What are candidate genes?

Answer 5

Genes determine an individuals level of vulnerability to develop the disorder.

Question 6

What did Lewis (1936) find?

Answer 6

Out of some OCD patients, 37% had parents with the disorder and 21% had siblings with the disorder, showing that it does run in the family

Question 7

What did Taylor (2013) find?

Answer 7

That there may be over 230 genes involved in OCD - Polygenetic

Question 8

What does the biological explanation say about psychological disorders?

Answer 8

that they are physical illnesses

Question 9

What are dopamine and serotonin involved in?

Answer 9

Regulating mood

Question 10

What does ‘Aetiologically heterogeneous’ mean?

Answer 10

One set of genes which causes OCD in one individual may be different to the set of genes which cause OCD in another individual